David Miers, Ph.D., LIPC, Bryan Medical Center Mental Health Services, Co-Founder Lincoln/Lancaster LOSS Team
Extension Contact: Susan Harris-Broomfield, Extension Educator

The unexpected death of a loved one is an intensely traumatic event for those left behind. When that loss is due to suicide, another level of trauma often sets in. Suicide deaths still carry a stigma in our society. Survivors often feel emotions of intense guilt, longing, sadness, and hurt.

After a loss to suicide, family members left behind are themselves nine to 12 times more likely to die by suicide and are at a higher risk for experiencing health, relationship, and work difficulties.

Bryan Medical Center helped develop Nebraska’s first Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) Team in Lincoln/Lancaster County in 2009. This volunteer group provides support to individuals in the Lincoln/Lancaster County area as soon as possible after the death of a loved one to suicide.

This team has been highly successful in responding to families in need, providing resources and support, and facilitating a healthy grieving and mourning process. Each LOSS Team has several members; for example, a call to the Lincoln team activates three members each time: two people who have survived a loved one’s suicide, plus a mental health practitioner.

Studies have demonstrated the positive impact of active intervention for families in suicide’s aftermath. Research shows that those who do not have contact with a team such as LOSS wait 4.5 years before seeking help, and those who have contact with a group such as LOSS reach out for support within 39 days.

Since the development of the Lincoln/Lancaster LOSS Team, other communities have developed teams. These include:

• Beatrice/Fairbury (Blue River LOSS Team)
• Chadron,
• Kearney (Central Nebraska LOSS Team)
• Omaha (Omaha Metro Team)
• North Platte (Southwest Nebraska LOSS Team)
• Seward/York/Butler/Polk (Four Corners LOSS Team)
• Norfolk
• Columbus

Teams also are being developed elsewhere in Nebraska. Please refer to the map for contact information.

In most cases the teams are activated by law enforcement, but if a family is open to a visit with the LOSS team they can contact the team directly.

For more information regarding LOSS Teams in Nebraska and how to access them, visit: www.nelossteam.nebraska.edu